Black entered the change of plea in a Miami federal court. Prosecutors charged him with crimes including falsifying information on federal forms to buy four firearms from a Miami-area gun shop on two separate occasions.

When U.S. District Judge Federico Moreno asked Black why he needed so many weapons, he shrugged and said he needed them for “protection.” In a previous hearing, his attorney, Bradford Cohen, said the rapper faced threats from gangs and other rivals.

Black is a Pompano Beach native who was born to Haitian American parents as Dieuson Octave and who now goes by the legal name of Bill Kapri.

He has been in federal custody since he was arrested during a Miami-area hip-hop festival in May that was marred by several violent incidents. Authorities are still investigating three unrelated shootings in the Miami area with possible connections to the festival, one of which involved a property owned by President Donald Trump.

Moreno previously denied Black’s request for bond, ruling that he was a danger to the community.